The index measuring people's income shed 1 point to 150, with a fall in people's spending on traveling and entertainment during the period.

"China's economy slowed a bit in the third quarter, but remained largely stable," said Lian Ping, chief economist of BoCom.

China's gross domestic product grew 6.8 percent in the July-September period, easing from 6.9 percent in the previous two quarters.

The sub-index measuring people's willingness to invest in real estate lost 4 points to 109, the second retreat after it rose in July's survey, after China extended measures to dampen property speculation to more second-tier cities.